Cable retainer for electrical connectors



Jan. 7, 964 A. G. BLOMQUIST ETAL 3,116,945

CABLE RETAINER FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Filed Sept. 15, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a FIG. 1.

FIG. 2.

ARTHUR 6. BLOMOU/ST RALPH E. EGGERS PAUL J. GOBEL INVENTORS.

BY ww w ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1964 A. G. BLOMQUIST ETAL 3,116,945

CABLE RETAINER FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Filed Sept. 15, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

FIG. 4.

ARTHUR 6. BLOMOU/ST RALPH E. 566538 PAUL J. GOBEL INVENTORS.

ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fiiice 3,llii,9d Patented den. 7, l bi 3,116,945 CABLE RETAlNEl -l FGR ELECTRICAL NNECTQR Arthur G. Blornquist, Minneapolis, Ralph E. Eggers,

Fridley, Paul E. Gobel, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Northern (lrilnance, incorporated, ldridley,

Minn a corporation at Minnesota Filed Sept. 15, less, Ser. No. 56,199 1 Claim. ((122%7-119} This invention relates generally to cable retainer devices, and more particularly it pertains to a cable retainer for electrical plug type connector assemblies.

There has been increasing use over the past few years of plug type connectors in shipboard electrical syste 1.5. In general, the quality of available electrical connectors has improved with regard to the electrical contacts. However, standard cable for use with such connectors is subjeet to variations in out-side diameter and cross sectional shape.

it has been noted that when cable is stored on reels for extended periods before use it frequently assumes a some what triangular cross section. An assembly of cable and connector for ordnance use must be very rugged and reliable.

Heretofore, it was found best to deep roll crimp the cable connector sleeve onto the cable and to pot the assembly with potting compounds to arrive at a water proof assembly which would Withstand rough services. Such procedure is suitable for factory assembly but leaves much to be desired for field use. The available electrical conectors using grip type glands are unsatisfactory in their inability to hold and seal a cable which varies as stated.

Accordingly, it is an object of this present invention to provide a cable retainer for an electrical plug type connector assembly which furnishes positive gripping for cable of wide variation in outside diameter or cross sectional shape, and which provides a water-tight electrical plug assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a seal gland which is applicable to the cable lead-ins and which positively holds the cable under strain and seals it against the entrance of moisture to the electrical plu assembly to which it is assembled.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tension grip device for slipping flexible cord and which also provides a hermetic seal therearound.

These and other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the accompanying specification and drawings in which:

KG. 1 is a side elevation of an electrical plug type connector embodying features of this invention;

PEG. 2 is a longitudinal section much enlarged, showing the relationship of the components of an improved cable reta er device prior to the introduction of the cable and electrical connector body;

PEG. 3 is a detail plan view washer; and

PEG. 4 is a longitudinal section similar to that of HQ. 2 and illustrating a completely assembled and locked improved electrical plug type connector receptacle or assembly.

Referring now to the details of the drawings in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown in a preferred embodiment of the invention which consists of a cable plug connector ll). This cable plug connector lit consists basically of a cable adapter 12, an adapter nut 14, and a standard connector body assembly 3%). The cable adapter 12 is externally threaded at one extremity to threadedly receive the adapter nut 14;. The adapter 12 and adapter nut 14 of a toothed cone lockare also provided with a pair of wrenching flats 22 and 24, respectively thereon for tightening the assembly together.

As shown best in MG. 2, the adapter nut 14 is provided with an internal flange 26 behind which is positioned in stated order, a tooth d cone lockwasher 16, a fiat washer l8, and a resilient rubber Q-ring 2G.

The cable adapter 12 is axially bored and is formed with an internal bevel 23 at the externally threaded end thereof. The other end of the cable adapter 12 is counterbored, is internally threaded, and is provided with a recessed gasket 34 formed preferably of synthetic rubber.

The Hat Washer 18 and the tooth cone lockwasher 16 are preferably made of nylon, this being especially important to the latter item as will be related. A plurality of internal teeth or tines 3E5 which extend inwardly are formed on the cone lockwasher id as shown best in FIG. 3. When assembled, as shown in FIG. 2, these tines 3% face inwardly of the assembly and present an annular array of sharp squared edges.

The cable 36 for use with this invention, as shown best in P16. 4, is of the rubber or plastic covered type having a smooth, relatively slippery surface. When this cable 36 is inserted through the toothed cone lockwasher 16, the tines 38 will interfere and be caused to spread slightly.

However, after all the components are assembled and the necessary connections made, as shown in FIG. 4, the tines 3-3 are caused to straighten radially as the adapter nut 14 is tightened and squeezes the tooth cone lock- Washer 16 fiat or substantially plane.

In this manner, the tines 33 of the lockwasher 16 depress the p riphery of the cable At the same time, the washer 18 also presses against the O-ring Ztl to urge it within the internal bevel 23 of the cable adapter 12 so as to squeeze against the periphery of cable 36. Complete sealing against the ingress of moisture is accomplished by the compression of the gasket 34 under the urging of the threads 32 as the connector body 36 is installed.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. it is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claim the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

A tension gripping device for positively gripping and securely holding a compressible member, comprising, an annular housing having an internal bevel thereon, compression means having an opening to pass said compressible member therethrough and engageable by one end of said housing for adjustment thereon, resilient deformable means including a nylon conoidal member having inwardly directed fin ers encompassing said compressible member, said conoidal member being positioned between said compression means and the end of said housing, and means positioned between said conoidal member and said internal bevel including an G-ring and an annular nylon washer positioned between said O-ring and said conoidal member, said conoidal member assuming a planar configuration and said O-ring squeezing against said compressible member when said compression means is adjusted on said annular housing so that said fingers become embedded in said compressible member to positively grip said compressible member and so that a watertight seal between said annular housing and said compressible member is obtained, respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 620,320 Hoey Feb. 28, 1899 1,440,207 Burns Dec. 26, 1922 (@tlier references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Noble Sept. 8, 1931 Norton June 24, 1941 Markey Dec. 29, 1942 Zupa Aug. 13, 1957 Tarnow June 24, 1958 

